May 16, 2008

In response to the language, cultural, and physical needs of the more than 45,000 Bosnian refugees living in the St. Louis area, Kirkwood Baptist helped establish the Family Food Pantry at Christy Memorial United Methodist Church in May 2003. Located in south St. Louis and the heart of the Bosnian community, the Family Food Pantry has grown over the years, providing an important source of food for 75 families each week, offering ESL classes, and initiating various other ministries.

In 2004, in cooperation with Christy Memorial, Kingshighway Baptist, Southwest Baptist, Jewel Baptist, Vandover Baptist, and Independence Christian Center, Sasa Zivanov, a Bosnian pastor, was invited to serve as missionary and pastor to the Bosnian community. Sasa, his wife Mira, and son Filip not only give important leadership to the food ministry, but, as people who speak the same language and share the same culture, they also provide a bridge of trust and relationship to this community. As one community member expressed, "You care about us, you love us, and you help us."

Sasa offers a Sunday afternoon Bosnian worship service at 4:00pm. Despite the fact that most Bosnian immigrants are cultural Muslims, a number of community members are attending, asking for prayer and interested understanding Christianity.

Volunteers from KBC assist every Saturday morning in the food ministry. For more information, contact the church office at 314-965-2349 or Louise Duke at 636-227-5550.

Sorting food into bags.